Civic Envy

If you want a sure-fire conversation killer in Shanghai, mention the 2008 Olympics being hosted by Beijing. Shanghai residents are so sick of hearing about their northern neighbor's success that local officials had to be reminded to put up signs congratulating Beijing after it nabbed the Games last year. Now, Shanghai has a marquee event of its own to celebrate. Last week, the city won the right to host the 2010 World Expo—adding another bauble to its gaudy and growing list of tourist attractions. Already under construction is the world's first commercial magnetically-levitated train line. Shanghai also aims to develop the...